Figure 11
U.S. International Freight and Port Services Trade: 1990-2008

Figure 11
U.S. International Freight and Port Services Trade: 1990-2008

NOTE: Data
cover total payments and receipts. Payments consist of money paid by domestic
consumers to foreign carriers or service providers. Receipts consist of money
received by domestic carriers or service providers from foreign sources.

Freight carriers transport international cargo between the United States and its trading
partners around the world. In addition to trade in merchandise, the United States buys
(imports) and sells (exports) freight services via the various transportation modes. The
freight and port services sector includes several industries, including carriers, ports, terminal
operators, and third-party logistics providers, such as freight forwarders and consolidators.

In 2008, U.S. trade in freight and port services was $131 billion. Receipts for exports were
$59 billion, and payments for imports were $72 billion. Of the $131 billion, 52 percent ($68
billion) was for freight services and the remainder was for port services.